Polishing kit



June 6, G WEBB POLISHING KIT Filed Feb. 18, 1959 mvsmon. 6:0: 1?. (Use BY QM M A T TORN E YS nite rates This invention relates to a polishing kit, and more particularly, to a kit for polishing shoes, wherein polish may be applied directly from the kit onto the surface intended to be polished, and wherein the polishing kit is constructed in such manner that the receptacle for the polish and accessory polishing equipment are compactly arranged and combined into a single unit.

An object of this invention is to provide a polishing kit for storing and dispensing controlled amounts of fluid, or semi-fluid, polish in such manner that the user may readily apply the polish to shoes, and the like items without soiling his hands, and to this end providing the polishing kit with means for applying the polish directly from the kit onto the item intended to be polished.

Another object of this invention is to construct the polishing kit in a manner which enables the user to carry the kit conveniently in a traveling bag, suitcase, handbag, and the like, as an accessory travel item for use While away from home and without danger of soiling other items also being carried in the traveling bag, etc.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a polishing kit replete with provision for storage of polish, means for direct application of the polish as it is dispensed, and a polishing brush or bufler all combined and assembled into a single easy-to-use kit arrangement.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a polishing kit replete with a container for holding a supply of polish, an applicator for application of polish directly from the container, and a polishing brush which is constructed in such manner that each of the components is capable of being conveniently utilized while remaining firmly attached to the polishing kit, and in such manner that the body portion of the container serves as a handle with which to manipulate the applicator and polishing brush and move same over the surface of the item to be polished.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings on which, by way of example only, one preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated.

As illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of a polishing kit embodying a preferred form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the polishing kit with the addition of a detachable cover for the polishing brush; the cover being shown in central section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of the detachable cover for the polishing brush;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in central section of the polish dispensing end of the polishing kit;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the polishing kit taken along the plane 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another sectional view taken along the plane 66 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2, but by comparison showing the polishing brush attached in a reversed position with respect'tothe position illustrated in FIG. 2.

With reference to the drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form of a polishing kit 10 which includes a container 11 suitable for the storage of fluid or semifluid shoe polish or the like. The container 11 is preferably fabricated from a flexible plastic or rubber-like atent material, or other material having similar physical characteristics of resiliency, flexibility and pliancy. A particularly preferable material in this respect is polyethylene. As illustrated, the front and side surfaces 13 and 27, respectively, of the container 11 are shaped to form an hour-glass configuration to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the polishing kit 10 on application and bufling of the polish. Also, the two opposite side surfaces 27 are preferably formed with tiers of ribs 12 to further facilitate such gripping and manipulation of the polishing kit 10. The polish dispensing end 14 of the container 11 is formed with a conventional reduced diameter, externally threaded neck portion 15 defining a dispensing opening.

Direct application of controlled amounts of polish onto the desired item, such as a shoe, or the like, is provided by a plug-type applicator 17 which is axially insertable in the neck portion 15 and which has a circular body portion 18 designed to fit snugly against the wall surface 16 of the dispensing opening in neck portion 15 (FIG. 4). The outermost axial end portion 19 of the applicator 17 has an absorbent applicating pad 20 or mat mounted thereon which is preferably fabricated from felt, sponge rubber, velour, fibers, or other similar material, capable of absorbing and retaining a supply of polish when the container is inverted. The peripheral contour of the applicating pad 20 preferably defines a diamond shaped configuration to provide sharp peripheral corners capable of entering and applying polish in creases and other similar and practically inaccessible areas on the surface of the item to be polished. Fluid passages 21 formed in the outermost axial end 19 of the applicating member 17 provide a means of communication for the polish between the container 11 and the applicating pad 20; five such fluid passages 21 being illustrated in the drawings. As illustrated, the fluid passages 21 are preferably arranged to distribute the polish in a substantially even manner to all areas of the applicating pad 20; and to accomplish this several of the fluid passages 21 are arranged, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, in an outwardly and upwardly diverging relationship and extend diagonally through the applicator 17 to the margin along each side of the applicating pad 20. To prevent accidental inward displacement of the applicator 17 into the body of the container 11, there is an integral radial flange 21 formed on the exterior surface of the applicator 17 which seats on the rim 23 of the container neck portion 15 and which when pressed against the rim 22 forms a fluid-tight seal therewith, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

When the polishing kit is not being utilized for polishing purposes, it has been found to be desirable to prevent leakage, evaporation, or other loss of polish, or polish constituents. Protection against such loss of polish is effected by a cup-shaped closure 25 which has internal threads, as at 26, which mate with the complementary threads on the container neck portion 15. When tightly threaded onto the neck portion 15 the closed end of the closure 25 presses against the upper surface of the applicating pad 20, as at 27 (FIG. 4). Additional protection against leakage or evaporation of polish from the container 11 is afforded by an annular internal shoulder 28 projecting radially inward from the interior surface of 'the closure 25, at a location axially inward from the threaded portion thereof. As best illustrated in FIG. 4,

the internal shoulder 28 is arranged to press firmly downa ward on the upward facing surface of flange 22 on the applicator 17 and form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Also, the pressure imposed on the flange 22 by the closure 25 presses the flange 22 into fluid-tight sealing contact with the rim 23 of the neck portion 15. Thus, when the closure 25 is properly and tightly threaded onto the neck portion 15, loss of polish during non-use of the polishing kit is effectively precluded. Consequently, the polishing kit may be carried quite safely as an accessory travel item in a handbag, suitcase, or even on the person, without danger of staining or soiling other accompanying articles, or clothing, or the like.

In contrast with the hour-glass configuration of the front and side surfaces 13 and 27, respectively, of the container 11, the back surface 30 of the container is flat and is provided with mounting brackets 31 for direct attachment of a polishing or buffing implement such as a polishing brush 32, to the container. The brackets may be formed separately and sealed or otherwise affixed to the container. As illustrated, the brackets 31 are respectively located at opposite upper and lower ends of the back surface 30 of the container 11, and respectively define a longitudinal groove, as at 33, extending the length of the bracket and spaced outwardly from the container. The brackets 31 and grooves 33 confront each other and slidably receive a marginal tongue 35 formed on each opposite end of the base 36 in which the bristles 37 of the polishing brush 32 are affixed. The marginal tongues 35 and the grooves 33 are preferably so related that the polishing brush 32 may be attached to the container either with the bristles 37 of the brush directed away from the back of the container, as shown in FIG. 2, or with the bristles directed towards the back of the container 11, as shown in FIG. 7.

To prevent residual polish remaining on the bristles 37 after use of the polishing brush 32 from contacting and possibly soiling clothing or other accompanying articles with which the bristles might come in contact in a suitcase, travel bag, or the like, a flexible cover 39, preferably of plastic material, is provided which encloses the polishing brush and is detachably carried by the brackets 31. The attachment of the cover 39 to the brackets is preferably accomplished by snaps or spaced nodes 40 formed on the outer surfaces of the brackets 31 which mate in snap-fit relationship with complementary indents 41, formed in the inner surface of opposite sides of the cover 39. Additionally, the reversible mounting (FIG. 7) afforded the polishing brush 32 by the brackets 31 provides substantial additional protection against exposure of the bristles 37 to other articles of clothing, etc. in the event the cover 39 should accidentally become dislodged from the brackets 31 or lost.

When it is desired to use the polishing kit, the closure 25 is merely removed from neck portion 15 thereof and the polishing kit inverted to supply the applicating pad 20 with polish as it emerges through the fluid passages 21 from the container 1'1. To expedite the flow of polish onto the applicating pad 20, particularly where a semi-fluid polish is utilized, the resilient and flexible front side Walls 13 and 27 of the container may be compressed with the fingers. The applicating pad 20 is then brought into contact with and rubbed against the surface on which polish is to be applied; the sharp corners on the periphery of the applicating pad 20 provided by the diamond shaped contour thereof being availed of to apply the polish on rough surfaces, and in corners and crevices ordinarily tending to be inaccessible. After the desired amount of polish has been applied, the cover 39 having been removed from the polishing brush, the latter may be rubbed over the surface to be polished and without detaching the brush from the container, unless to reverse its position from that illustrated in FIG. 7 to that illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the container 11 and ribs 12 form a convenient handle for manipulation of the applicating pad 20 and the polishing brush 32.

From the above detailed description it is readily apparent that the present invention provides a compact polishing kit capable of being carried safely and conveniently in a traveling bag, or the like, and which may be easily used without soiling other contents of the traveling bag, or the hands of the user. Further, the container portion of the polishing kit, in addition to storing a supply of polish, serves as a handle for the polishing brush, thus eliminating the inconvenience of carrying several separate polishing accessories.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be modified throughout a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is not, therefore, the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A composite liquid applicator and buffing kit for use in storing and applying a coating of a liquid to a surface and bufiing a surface, such as for polishing shoes and the like, comprising a liquid container formed of a flexible, resilient material and having an irregular shape which includes axially disposed ends providing enlarged portions of the container and front, side, and back surfaces, said back surface being flat and said front and side surfaces being curved concavely between said ends, said container also having a neck portion on one said end defining a dispensing opening thereof for said liquid, an applicator carried by said neck portion and closing said opening, an absorbent diamond-shaped applicating pad attached to the outer axial end of said applicator, a plurality of spaced-apart fluid passages extending axially through said applicator and terminating adjacent said pad to provide a connection for the flow of said liquid from the container to the pad, mounting brackets on said flat surface mounted in confronting relationship on opposite axial ends of said container thereby defining opposed longitudinal grooves, a bufiing brush carried by said mounting brackets, marginal tongues on the axial ends of said brush adapted for interfitting relationship with said grooves to form a slidable tongue and groove connection, and side-by-side ribs formed on each of said side surfaces of the container along a medial portion thereof providing a handle having hand-gripping surfaces for flexing the container to expedite fiow of liquid to said pad and manipulating said applicator in applying the liquid coating to a surface and manipulating said brush in buflfing said surface.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said grooves and said tongues are cooperatively arranged to provide a reversible mounting for said buifing brush, said reversible mounting being arranged to mount said bufiing brush with the bristles thereof alternatively disposed toward or away from said container.

3. The combination defined in claim 2, including a rectangular hollow cover shaped to enclose said bufiing brush, and complementary surface formations on said cover and said mounting brackets forming a snap-fit mounting arrangement'for said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 882,197 Hardin Mar. 17, 1908 889,532 Loughborough June 2, 1908 1,468,671 Pasini Sept. 25, 1923 2,234,558 Huston Mar. 11, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,070 Great Britain Ian. 28, 1909 

